What would be involved in mounting the longer saiga handguard on a standard stamped AK?
Dano, I’ve sent this thread to one of most knowledgeable guys I know, hopefully he’ll chime in for you.
Ive been wondering this for months now. Ive posted this very same question on theakforum and got no response. 
Tagging this one in the hopes that someone answers with good news. Being able to mount a Saiga/Vepr style handguard on a regular ol AK would be the cats meow for me as it would allow me to extend my reaction hand out just a bit further.
I’ll take a shot at this, if i’m wrong maybe someone will chime in. The Saiga handguard is attached at the underside of the receiver with a screw & the gas block has one of its retaining pins longer that it sticks out from the gas block on both sides. retaining pin captivates the inside of the handguard in a groove & slides rearward while the rear of the handguard notch slides into the receiver & is screwed on.the factory handguard retainer has to be removed for this.
hmnnn, pics?
It’s combloc… which pretty much means can usually be replicated by a monkey with a decent tool suite. I reallly want a longer (cheap) handguard on my AK’s. Esp the plastic surefire (not flashlight guys) picatinny one.
Before you go through the trouble of replacing the existing standard AK set up (e.g., removing the standard handguard retainer, which would indeed be necessary) with the Saiga handguard, I would warn you that it doesn’t appear to be made of the most heat-resistant material. One day while doing some NSR rapid fire drills, I discovered that the part of the handguard near the gas block was starting to melt. I eventually ended up replacing the handguard with an Ultimak railed forend, which was certainly not “cheap,” but I am happy with it now.